“It doesn’t hurt except when I touch it,” Fuchs joked. “And fun fact, Clooney hit me in the face yesterday during a training, I had some tears coming…!”

But the taste of victory helped to sweeten the pain. “I was very motivated by this class,” the rider added. “I knew it was going to be a good winning round, with all the great riders. But I was able to pull out some strides in two lines, and even if Clooney is not really fast, I managed to turn sharply and demand the gallop at the best time. I’m very happy!”

It was a 1.50m class with winning round designed by the Italian course designer Uliano Vezzani. Twelve riders who didn’t touch a pole advanced to the shortened course, leaving just Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer out of it with one time fault. Five out of the 26 starters managed to complete a double clear round.

Ph. Marcio Rodrigo Machado / Power Sport Images

Fuchs and the 11-year-old Westfalian gelding Clooney (Cornet Obolensky X Ferragamo) completed their winning course in an unbeatable time of 41.18 seconds.

“Clooney has a good reputation of clear rounds in grand prix classes, and with this victory tonight, I know I can ask for more,” said the winner.